ISBN0534389511

A mechanistic approach to learning organic chemistry seems to make a whole lot more sense than memorizing/regurgitating the slew of reactivities available for each functional group along the way. Why then do we not have a text which allows us to do this? A few authors in the past have attempted to construct a text which views organic chemistry from a mechanistic (rather than funtional-group)standpoint, but none have been able to offer something an UNDERGRADUATE could embrace. Hornback has clearly and logically presented this often intimidating subject here, and should be praised for hurdling the barrier to offer the first readable mechanism-oriented text.

This is by far one of the best texts for undergraduate organic chemistry! The explanations are clear and concise, and ideas and concepts are well-organized. The book is easy to follow and the problems, both within and at the ends of the chapters, make the concepts crystal clear.

I used an earlier edition of this textbook and solutions manual when I took organic chemistry (2000-2001), and it (and some great professors) made the class easier and enjoyable. Having encountered other textbooks at other schools, I am grateful that the chemistry department at my alma mater uses this text. I am an organic chemistry TA now, and wish my students were using this book!

Bottom line, I sing the book's praises every chance I get! It's a bit expensive brand-new, but worth every penny!

I used Hornback's 2nd edition for my introductory organic chemistry courses and found the text to be excellent, and often surpassing the in-class instruction I recieved from my professor. If you are an undergraduate student taking organic chemistry I would recommend this text above all others. I often refer to it as a reference now that I am taking advanced organic chemistry. If you read the this text, you will do well in your course regardless of the calibre of instruction you are recieving.